REXELite quick tutorial

REXELite is a simplified version of the stand-alone software REXEL (available freely at www.reluis.it;
see Iervolino et al. 2009a) and allows to search, within the European Strong Motion database (ESM),
for combinations of seven 1- or 2-component strong motion records, compatible on average with a
target spectrum, generated according either to the new Italian building code (NIBC) or to Eurocode
8 (EC8).

The procedure implemented in REXELite for record selection requires three preliminary steps (see
REXElite input data screen):
Target spectrum definition: it is necessary to specify information about geographical location of
the site of interest and other data required to define the design spectrum according to the Italian
Building Code (for the Eurocode 8 spectra, it is necessary to specify only the anchoring value of
the spectrum, ag, and the soil class); moreover, it is necessary to specify the number of horizontal
components of ground motion (1 or 2) desired to be included in the set.
Preliminary record search: it is necessary to specify the magnitude (local or moment magnitude)
and epicentral distance intervals in which the records to be searched have to fall; soil type
(according to EC8 classification) and recording instrument features should also be specified;.
Spectrum matching parameters and analysis options definition: it is necessary to assign the
period range where the combination found have to be compatible with the target spectrum and
the tolerances (in terms of lower and upper bounds) allowed for the average of the combination
in matching the code spectrum. In this phase, it is also possible to toggle the Scaled Records
option between no(default) and yes, which corresponds to searching for unscaled (i.e. original as
registered - unmodified) or scaled (i.e., linearly scaled in amplitude) record sets (see Iervolino et
al., 2008, 2009a and 2009b for further details on the topic).

The example below illustrate the selection of a set of seven unscaled 1-component accelerograms
for Forl (lat.: 44.218, lon.: 12.054) according to the NIBC criteria.

As an example lets consider selection for the damage limit state of an ordinary structure (functional
class II) on soil type B with a nominal life of 50 years .
Consider also that selection should reflect disaggregation of PGA hazard on rock with a 63%
probability of exceedance in 50 years at the site, which may be easily obtained by
http://esse1.mi.ingv.it/ website; see Figure 1.
For further details on how disaggregation should be used see Convertito et al. (2009) and Iervolino
et al. (2009a and 2009b).
 Figure 1 Disaggregation of the PGA on rock with a 63% probability of exceedance in 50 years for Forl.

Specifying the M (e.g. moment magnitude only) and R (epicentral distance) intervals to [4.5; 5] and
[0km; 10km] respectively, assigning as tolerance for the average spectral matching, 10% lower and
30% upper in the period range 0.15s 2s, and accepting the specified parameter (i.e. clicking on
Accept parameters button - data input screen - Figure 2).), REXELite performed a preliminary search
and produced the graph shown in Figure 3, where the spectra of waveforms matching the above
criteria are plotted). Note that in the second screen of the software (i.e REXELite confirm input data
screen Figure 3), the target spectrum, the period range chosen and the compatibility tolerances
are also plotted.

Figure 2 REXELite input data screen.

 Figure 3 REXELite confirm input data screen.

REXELite will search for a combination compatible with the target spectrum within this waveforms
set. Running REXEL (i.e. clicking on Run REXEL button), the software searches a compatible solution.
However, in this case, although the number of selected records is quite large, the software returns
an error message because no compatible combinations are found within the selected records and
with the specified analysis options. Note that the software returns an error message also if
processing time is longer than 180 seconds.

Then, the user can click on Respecify parameters button to change the input data by modifying one
or more of the required input parameters (e.g. magnitude range, distance range, spectral matching
parameters and/or by using the Non-dimensional option).
For example, using the Any site class option in Preliminary record search, and choosing to increase
the magnitude and distance bins (i.e. specifying [4.5; 6] and [0km; 30km] respectively), REXELite
returns the combination of Figure 4 in seconds. The selected waveforms are directly provided to the
user, via a link on the output screen, grouped into a compressed file by REXELite.
 Figure 4 Unscaled combination found for the assigned example.

REXELite also returns the information about the individual records as retrieved by ESM, e.g.
recording station code and station type (analog or digital), event (date and time), etc. In the case of
scaled sets, the scale factors of individual record are also given (Figure 5). The visualization of
waveforms using ESM tools can also be accessed from this panel.

Figure 5 - Essential record data returned by REXELite for the combination of Figure 4. Scale factors set to
unity for the unscaled record set.

Further reference on REXELite, REXEL, and in general regarding code-based record selection for
structural analysis may be found in the following references:

Iervolino I., Galasso C., Paolucci R., Pacor F. (2011) Engineering ground motion record selection
in the ITalian ACcelerometric Archive. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 9(6):1761-1778.
Convertito V., Iervolino I., Herrero A. (2009). The importance of mapping the design earthquake:
insights for southern Italy. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 99(5), 29792991.
doi: 10.1785/0120080272
 Iervolino I., Galasso C., Cosenza E. (2009a). REXEL: computer aided record selection for code-
based seismic structural analysis. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. DOI 10.1007/s10518-009-
9146-1.
Iervolino I., Galasso C., Cosenza E. (2009b). Spettri, Accelerogrammi e le Nuove Norme Tecniche
per le Costruzioni. Progettazione Sismica, Vol. I(1): 33-50, Gennaio-Aprile. (in Italian)
Iervolino I., Maddaloni G., Cosenza E. (2009c). A note on selection of time-histories for seismic
analysis of bridges in Eurocode 8. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 13 (8):1125-1152
Iervolino I., Maddaloni G., Cosenza E. (2008). Eurocode 8 compliant real record sets for seismic
analysis of structures. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 12(1):54-90.
Iervolino I., Cornell C.A. (2005). Record selection for nonlinear seismic analysis of structures.
Earthquake Spectra, 21(3):685-713.